Bohemians will look to take another historic step forward this Saturday as they welcome Treaty United to Dalymount Park in the semi-final of the FAI Cup (kick-off 4pm), writes GARY O’CONNOR.
The Gypsies come into the tie buoyed by a timely league win over Cork City last weekend, which ended a tough run of back-to-back league defeats followed by the heartbreak of the All Island Cup final loss to Wexford.
Alban Hysa’s side responded in the best way possible, with a professional 2–0 victory over Cork City at Dalymount Park. First half goals from Alannah McEvoy and Leiagh Glennon gave Bohs the cushion they needed, and they saw the game out with confidence to restore momentum ahead of this week’s semi-final.
Reflecting on the performance, Hysa emphasised just how important it was for his squad to get back to winning ways.
“It was an important win after the two league defeats and the cup defeat to Wexford,” he said. “It was important to get the confidence going again for this week. I felt we were quite comfortable in the game, we could have scored a couple more, but we were clinical enough on the day.”
That victory now provides the platform for Bohs to turn their attention to Treaty United, who stand between them and a first ever FAI Cup final. The sides know each other well, with their most recent league meeting producing a dramatic finish as Treaty struck late to snatch a 2–1 win.
Hysa is under no illusions about the challenge his side face this time around.
“They are a very good team and play some very good football,” he said. “I think it will be a 50/50 game, but it’s a matter of us focusing on ourselves and being the best we can be on the day. If we do that, I can see us edging it. I thought we were a bit unlucky the last time out against Treaty, we gifted them an own goal to get them back into the game, and then they scored a cracker we didn’t defend well in the last minute.”
Saturday’s semi-final will be Bohs second of the season, having already reached the last four of the All Island Cup earlier in the summer. While Hysa admits that experience can be useful, he is determined to keep the group grounded and focused.
“It can help as we have already experienced a semi-final, but at the end of the day it’s just another game,” he explained. “If we can perform to our ability and play our game, we give ourselves the best possible chance. It will be an intense affair on the day.”
Cup semi-finals are often decided by fine margins, and Hysa acknowledged that while there is excitement, there will inevitably be nerves around such an occasion, especially given the prize at stake and the recent memory of cup heartbreak.
“I would say there are nerves for the girls because it could be a cagey affair,” he admitted. “Nerves will have a big part to play on the day, especially considering we didn’t win the cup final. But hopefully we can use that to our advantage.”
Saturday’s tie is another landmark occasion for Bohs, who have continued to grow in stature under Hysa’s stewardship. Reaching the final at Tallaght Stadium would mark another huge step forward for the women’s team, and the players will be hoping for another strong backing from supporters at Dalymount Park to help push them over the line.
With a place in the FAI Cup final on the line, Bohs will be aiming to harness the lessons learned from both recent defeats and recent triumphs and to seize the opportunity to make history.
Team News
Katie McCarn is back in contention following an ankle injury. Shauna Carroll (foot) and Aoibhe Fleming (foot) remain out.